Through our group discussions we have come up with these questions for part one of Women of Sand and Myrrh 1. Suha and Tamr both have cages of canaries in their homes. What is the symbolism of the canaries? Does the canary have the same meaning for Suha as it does for Tamr?

2. Nur brings men over to Suha's house to have sex. Why would Suha allow this to happen? Is this a way for Suha to have control of even a small part of her life, or was it an expression of freedom that she knew she wold never be able to have?

3. Tamr's family does not want her to go to college, yet they seem to have no problem with her marring for a third time. Is it Arabic culture that dictate's this way of thinking, or a family history?

4. Tamr wishes to open a dress shop, but before she is allowed to do this, she has to present her divorce decree to the seller. Why is this piece of information more important to them than her ability to manage a dress shop?

5. Arabic culture seems to have many different dictates for women than for men. Women do not seem to be allowed to grow personally. Women seem to need a male guardian/driver with them all the time. What knowledge of the Arabic culture do you believe the author wants you to come away with after reading about these four women?

Thanks Arelda Gates, Mary Fegter, Paula Ingram, Sue Hunter

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000

Answers

2. Nur was not comfortable with Suha bringing men oer to her house, but i think as a friend she allowed it to make Nur happy. I think that Suha may have felt a little bit of freedom but she also resented Nur using her also.

3. Family life was that women stayed home and found a husand and did not see education as most important. Having several marriages, I think was an accepted thing and divorces followed if the husband was tried of you, he gave you a divorce no questions asked.

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2000

In response to the first question, the bird that Suha had was a symbol for her need to be free. The bird was caged and she felt caged in that society. She would let the bird out at time because she wanted so badly to get out herself. Before she left the country didn't she let the bird go as a symbol of her being free.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000